Development Types

Workplaces - Full Text

Introduction

Offices comprise a large proportion of workplaces in Australia. Individual car travel to and from work generates approximately 14 million tonnes of greenhouse gas every year (Bicycle Victoria, 2007). A workplace that encourages cycling and walking to work by providing end of trip facilities will:

contribute to the health of its workers, given that regular walking and cycling to work can help control stress, anxiety and depression, and build social connections in the workplace. As a result, cycle and walking friendly workplaces may have greater morale, lower absenteeism and higher productivity (Bicycle Victoria, 2007).

Offices that are accessible by public transport also reduce the use of motor vehicles and encourage walking to and from public transport.

Offices within a town centre surrounded by public spaces for interaction
and physical activity for workers and visitors - Brisbane City, Queensland.
Source: Planning Institute of Australia

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

An urban structure that is designed to be walkable and cyclable will encourage people to use active transport to commute to work.

Spatial Location

Offices should be located within designated activity centres that are accessible by walking, cycling and public transport via interconnected street and pathway networks that have the centre as a hub.

A hierarchy of activity centres within a metropolitan area and region can help reduce traffic congestion and maximise opportunities for active transport and public transport. In some cases, smaller branch offices that are closer to the sources of the trips may be more appropriate than a single central office.

Definition

Activity centres are key destinations and should be the focus of a neighbourhood. In the case of larger centres they should be centrally located to serve a number of neighbourhoods. This encourages one trip to a centre where multiple activities can be undertaken.

Transport Network and Design
The movement network should be designed to encourage active transport by providing:

an interconnected street network that is safe for pedestrians, day and night

streetscapes that provide walking and cycling infrastructure, as these are more likely to encourage people to use active transport to commute

safe and convenient public transport stops, and

appropriate pedestrian and cycling routes (refer to the Healthy Spaces and Places Active Transport Design Principle for more detail).

Spatial Location
Offices should be located in suitable activity centres to:

reduce the need for longer trips

promote active transport and public transport

support local activity centres, and

minimise trip distance between different businesses and other uses.

End of trip facilities

End of trip facilities such as secure bicycle parking, change rooms, showers and clothing lockers are necessary to encourage cycling to work. Attractive, convenient, secure and safe places to park will attract riders to use the facility.

End of trip facilities, Townsville
Source: SGS Economics and Planning

Building Design

Building design that encourages use of stairs in lieu of passenger lifts.

Where open space is to be provided on site it should be located and designed to be easily accessible, pleasant and comfortable for users.

Health & Planning Fact
Bicycle Victoria noted that a study commissioned by Medibank Private in 2005, found that healthy workers are almost three times more effective at work than unhealthy workers and indicated the following statistics: